Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff asked 2 months ago
Does My Bulldog Need Soft Palate Surgery
I have need reading your website, thank you for being so informative. I only wish you all were on the east coast instead of the west.
Do you happen to have any colleagues on the east coast ?
I have a big baby 2.5 yr old English bulldog who I’m unsure if he needs the palate surgery.
He does snore and pant some when active but breathes very well over all
I am in central VA and have a great local vet but she is not a bully specialist and I’m very nervous about him going under
He is scheduled to be neutered and have this palate surgery next week.
Thank you for any insight or suggestions
Cindy
Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff answered 7 years ago
How To Know If Your Bulldog Needs Soft Palate Surgery Answered
Hi Cind
First, a quick clarification: snoring (stertor) and stridor are not the same thing.
What is Steretor?
Snoring (stertor) is the low, snoring sound many bulldogs make when air moves through the nose or soft tissues.
What is Stridor?
Stridor is a higher-pitched, harsh sound that usually means there is airway obstruction, often from the soft palate.
Panting, on the other hand, is completely normal for dogs.
I posted a video for you, please watch it with the volume up. It demonstrates what stridor sounds like when the palate is obstructing the airway.
One clue is that it often becomes louder or worse when your bulldogs gets excited or exercises.
How To Definitively Diagnose Elongated Soft Palate?
The only definitive way to diagnose the problem is by visually examining the airway under light sedation, so the veterinarian can clearly see the palate, larynx, and surrounding structures.
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Must-Know Before Opting For Palate Surgery
If you move forward with an exam or surgery, here are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Expert Anesthesiologist: Make sure your vet is very familiar with bulldog anesthesia protocols (induction and recovery are especially important in this breed).
- Bulldog Vet: Make sure they understand bulldog airway anatomyncluding the soft palate, laryngeal saccules, and other BOAS structures.
- Expert Surgon: Make sure they are experienced with the surgery itself.
Palate Repair Before Elective Surgery
Also, if your dog is planning to be spayed or neutered, airway surgery—if needed—is often best done before or at the same time.
In general, elective procedures should not be done without addressing elongated palate or other brachycephalic airway issues first.
I also posted before-and-after photos for you. In the pre-op image, you can see the elongated palate blocking the laryngeal opening along with enlarged tonsils.
In the post-op image, notice how the airway is much wider and open, allowing for much easier breathing.
Wishing you and your bulldog the very best of luck. 🍀
Dr. Kraemer, Vet4Bulldog 🐾
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